Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-06

The enforcement OF license ordinances the in.
spection OF premises and reports upon liquor ap-
pllcat1onS, together with a rigid surveillance OF
saloons wherein intoxicating liquors were sup
posed TO be sold in violation of law has entailed
suits have been beneficial In suppressing to great
extent the Illicit sale OF intoxcants and decrease
or drunkenness and disorder on Sunday, thereby
improving the moral tone OF the District, and at
testing the efficiency and Jealous f1delity OF the
police department In the discharge OF duty
In their estimates submitted october LIST to the
secret airy OF the Treasury the Commissioners make
provision Tor an increase OF the force OF one euten
ant ten sergeants and ninety privateS They be-
neve the present force TO be numerically made
quatr to proper performance OF the multifarious
duties assigned IL, and that the preservation of
O DER and the protection OF life and property de-
mand an increase TO this extent. 1t is also prO.
posed TO erect station house and establish an ad-
dltiOnal precinct, to be known as the nintn by
DIVIDING the sixth police district, which includes
all tnat section or the city east OF 5th street ex-
tending TO tn Eastern Branch, and north OF East
Capitol street and extending to Boundary. The
area defined by these boundaries embraces a
territory or one fourth OF the entire city.
The population OF this section has largely in
creased. Streets have been opened and extended
SCHOOL houses erected and building operations
been OF such character and extern, that IL is con-
stdered That some practical and effective police
protection should be afforded a section in which
the citizens, by reason Of the iDalequacy OF the
force, have at times been compelled 10 patrol beats
and perform other police duties In the protection
OF property and the suppression OF lawlessness.
the commissioners regret that the clause re-
curing appointments on the force to be made
from those who have served In the Army or Navy
still impairs the usefulness OF this service The
reasons they have repeatedly stated to Congress-
for the repeal OF this law still apply with full fOrce
The requirement Is an unm1xed evil 1t cOnfers
during the late war, AMI In whose behalf 1t was
enacted, but so confines the scope of selection a.
90 render difnc9lt the maintenance of such q
morale as should characterize the police force OF
the seat OF the National Government
POLICE MAGISTRATES
In the estimates for the ensuing fiscal year. the
Commissioners have made provision for the com.
pensatiOn OF four police magistrates There is at
present no statute that authorizes the appotnt.
ment OF such magistrates, but the great need for
Commissioners sufficient authority for making the
estimate In question.
AT present Jurisdiction over petty offences is
confined to the Police Court alone, and this tri-
bunal has in addition to the Jurisdiction referred
TO authority to hold on nders u Dail for prOba HE
cause to await the decision OF the grand Jury in
their cases This condition OF afYairs Is tIa sorce
OF great Inconvenience 70 the persons Interested
10 the matter In question, and is, besides, very
trict The trial OF cases and the nearins Of os-
lenders all OF whom are arrested by the police Of
cers necessitates the attendance OF the arresling
officers upon the Police Court as witnesses fire.
Quently during the greater part OF the ay thereby
leaving large areas OF the District without the
guardianship or the officers appointed 10 their care
and charge. Not only do citizens cOmnIain Of tHts
condition Of things, but the police authorities are
urgent In their condemnation OF 1t.
police need which must be apparent to any one
who gives the matter attention, that the Man ri
appointing number OF police mapisIrates has
been devised These Officers are to hold court in
the several station houses, thus doing away win
the Inconvenience and injury arising out OF the
practice pursued OF sumlnoning the ofYicers to =
central Police Court and OBTAINING them there the
greater part OF the day.
1t Is not proposed to do away with the Police
Court, the Commissioners having already in
timated to Congress their opinion that thar Court
should be retained as tribunal 10 hear municipal
appeals Apes s,,,,,,..,o,.,- .s,.
and more Tor the interests OF the community Wouid
De enected tnan Dy tne creation Of the magistrates
referred 70 with well defined limited jurisdic-
ton, together with the means for the tnimedfaIe
hearing OF all appeals taken from their decsioua
They heartily recommend some such legislation.
FIeE DEPARTMENT..
The fire department consists OF one chief enQf.
neer and two assistants, one secretary. three
| watehmen seven engine companies and two TRUCK
companies Zach engine company consists OF one
foreman, one engineer, one fireman one hostler and
six prtvates. and each truck company OF one fOre.
man. one uLerman. one hostler. and nine prtvates
eight hose carriages with hose, and three hook
aud ladder trucks Tue report or the chief ona
neer OF the department. herewith gives fun detSili
OF rs operations. The Department exhibiled III
usual slncisncy during the yaar. Tnere we're dur
| msnt responded. and Is nres attended wif6ovl
/ Alarma The los ny IRE during the year wai
4 t2ok ga and the amount Of tnsurence involvol
$s4l,i6k re ss5imst:. for TITS dSpastmsns 81
81 a. epgine house ana the icrsnstsoa ID - ~
uonal nfe Company Tor the eastern sectaoA a ~
The great increase In the number G nsS buiidine,
$500 q ~ ~ ,ssss: o g wsn 9 tns Ssee